Are you ashamed of being a nurse?

Nurses Career Support

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Hi everyone. Please respond and offer feedback on whether you are ashamed of or embarrassed about being a nurse; becoming a nurse; or considering nursing as a career. If you are ashamed or embarrassed, why? If not, why not?

Vortex, I hear what your saying. I recently saw a 'Friends' rerun where there is a very handsome nurse (male) and Chandler makes fun of him...the nurse says something about serving in the war (great!) and then how he's going to go to med school......geez. I wonder why people in entertainment (producers, casting,etc) have such a bias against nursing? Caught a second of ER (which is like a sin for me b/c I hate that show soooooo much) and one of the intern's is saying how he bribes the nurses with donuts and now it's "feeding time." No one says that in real life (or they'll get their butt kicked) but why is this attitude so accepted in Hollywood?

Professionalism starts from within. Even though other medical people treat us with embarrassment, belittling, etc...we can manage ourselves well by not letting them intimidate us. Usually, lack of knowledge can be a factor why nurses feel inferior. This is a wake-up call for all of us! Learn more than the degree you have. Ironically, even though we do this we are not getting much reward...which can somehow boost our attitude in improving. Nevertheless, I still believe we deserve respect. They should value our presence because it takes a lot of patience to be a proffessional nurse.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

I'm a male and an RN. Not ashamed of being a nurse or RN, but I continue to run into the "male nurse" thing here and there. When I started as an RN 19 years ago, the thing I had to face then was "Oh, YOUR a nurse", which often had attached to it that only gay males became nurses. I'm so glad that era died out (by the way, I'm straight). But, I didn't blame many patients for this misperception then because at that time some of the men in nursing where I worked at were gay, flamboyant as well. Not knocking anybody here. But, I didn't like being lumped into a sexual stereotype which I clearly did not fit in. Like I said, I'm glad that era is over. My interest in nursing came from personal experiences from home and my exposure in the military (I was a medic). Now, I get the "male nurse", which often implies some difference somehow than a woman nurse or settled for something much less than med school...Hello, if I wanted to be a doc, I would have went there. I just find it interesting. Before the last 150 years, nursing was considered more appropriate for men, like the teaching field, because at that time it was considered "improper for a lady" to care for a male who was outside of her family. Now, somehow, that all got twisted in the opposite direction. Times change, as well as perceptions. No, I am not ashamed of being a nurse. Damn proud of it. I just have to wait for others to catch up.

I'm a male and an RN. Not ashamed of being a nurse or RN, but I continue to run into the "male nurse" thing here and there....

Just a comment...the nursing profession needs more Nurses who are men. My whole life half of my good friends have been men. In every job I've had I've been greatful to work with wonderful men. I think men can add a much needed balance to the Nursing profession. I love being a nurse, and I work with some wonderful women, but I know we could all benefit from having some male energy around!!

Sounds like you are in a toxic enviornment, why do you stay? There are so many choices for nurses. If you can't fix what is wrong, move on to something else. If, however, you find your self always moving from horrible places, maybe it isn't "them".

I wish it were that simple. This is only the 2nd that I have had since 1994.

My husbands work keeps us where we are. He would like for me to retire and maybe I will. I have been the "community" nurse for years. My husband has a job in research and it is a vitally inportant project. I wish I could tell you more. Maybe one day you will read about it.

I always try to tell myself maybe, just maybe the administration of the hospital ( which is owned by a large corporation) will finally figure out that importing nurses and the out with the old and in with the new doesn't always work.

Thanks for your thoughts

there's no shame in anything you do unless you do it in such a way that you are ashamed of yourself. nursing is a profession and a privilege that rewards you in a unique way

Proud to be a nurse. Nursing has helped me to change and grow in many positive ways. I've seen the good and the not so good. The decision is mine as to how I want to practice my nursing skills.

The system itself is badly in need of change, but nursing is giving and sharing of yourself, your talent and your skills.

I have no regrets.

Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

Of course not! But then I sometimes hestitate to tell what people what I do, so I am not regaled with their lastest & greatest illness. When I am off the clock I am OFF THE CLOCK!

Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

What is a good way to recruit men to nursing? I am interested in doing recruiting & would appreciate knowing how men came into nursing & how to get more.

Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.

:coollook:What is a good way to recruit men to nursing? I am interested in doing recruiting & would appreciate knowing how men came into nursing & how to get more.

I'm a male and an RN. Not ashamed of being a nurse or RN, but I continue to run into the "male nurse" thing here and there.

I absolutely love the male nurses I work with. I work in a trauma center and we encounter violent patients on a regular basis. Security officers can only do so much when they have an entire hospital to watch. When the "boys" are on, I know it's going to be a great shift. The place feels more calm and relaxed and I (being a woman) feel that much safer. There is no backbiting, everyone works together as a team, and we manage to have fun in the process. The male nurses I work with take the politics out of it and focus on patient care and getting the job done.

It takes a very confident "man" to be a nurse. Don't worry about the "male nurse" thing.

if you are ashamed of what you do you should try and leave field and maybe a bit of selfesteem counseling would help...

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